Rule to Change:Coweeman River (Cowlitz Co.)
from mouth to Mullholland Creek
from Mullholland Creek upstream

New Rule Proposal:Redefine the open fishing areas:
from mouth to Baird Creek
from Baird Creek upstream

Why the change is needed:This rule change creates additional opportunity adding about five miles of additional fishing area to harvest hatchery early winter steelhead. The resulting increase in harvest rate of hatchery steelhead will reduce the potential for interaction of hatchery and wild steelhead.

Names of individuals or groups with whom you have discussed this change:This rule change was proposed by the Steelhead Management Work Group which has been meeting with Region 5 staff to develop watershed Steelhead Management Plans

Describe their support and/or concerns:
Group is very much in favor of this proposal.

Submitted by: DAMMERS, WOLF — ,

Date submitted: 06/13/2012

WDFW Rule Proposal Recommendation

Recommended for Public Comment Reference ID: DFW927523

Rule Change Recommendation Short TitleIncrease open angling area on Coweeman River

Rules CategoryEastern Washington and Columbia Region Freshwater

Type of Rule Change ProposalConservation

County or Location InformationCowlitz County

Short DescriptionExtend area open to fishing approximately 5 miles, from mouth to Baird Creek.

ExplanationAdds an additional five miles of area open to hatchery winter steelhead fishing, thereby increasing the harvest rate of hatchery winter steelhead and reducing the number of hatchery steelhead that may stray onto the spawning grounds and negatively impact wild winter steelhead.